The bank had lost its funding due to state law that requires it to return income from the documentary stamp revenues if more than half of state agencies receive budget cuts.

But this year, like last year, state legislators allowed the bank to keep an emergency amount to use to purchase conservation easements from landowners. The land deals mean the acreage cannot be developed.

"This grant funding allows the bank to protect the largest amount of critical acres and protects the most farm land with federal grant matching funds as is possible," said Marvin Davant, executive director.

"All other grants, whether approved or pending, will continue to be held in the application period in which they were filed and will remain in place."

On Thursday the Conservation Bank Board voted to fund seven projects from a list of 18 applications totaling $4.6 million.